First, the most important thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We have sorted the program for both days. Our house ipartment Cologne Opera<\/a> is within walking distance of Offenbachplatz, so the practical part of the overnight stay comes at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The opening in 2026 will feature five locations in the Cologne center: Offenbachplatz, Dirk-Bach-Platz, the North-South route closed for the weekend, Glockengasse and Br\u00fcdergasse. On the outdoor stage at Offenbachplatz, there will be continuous programming on both days. In the renovated buildings, discovery tours will be conducted through areas that will remain closed during normal operating hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Saturday, the Schauspiel K\u00f6ln<\/strong> the day on Sunday Oper K\u00f6ln<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n Schauspiel K\u00f6ln is launching its reopened venue and turning Offenbachplatz into an open-air stage. Eleven performances between 12 and 23 hours, from the Cologne school choir to the internationally booked pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program on Saturday:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Two names for the calendar:<\/p>\n\n\n 20:00 hours<\/p>\n \n You probably know the ensemble from Babylon Berlin and brings the Golden Twenties to the stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n 21:35 hours<\/p>\n \n At the end, at 21:35, the pianist, who does pretty much everything from classical music to pop and performance, plays.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n On Saturday, discovery tours of the venues will take place from 12:30 to 22:00, and the \u201eInform and Walk\u201c format from 12 to 18:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Cologne audience welcomed us with open arms at the M\u00fclheim Depot a year ago. Now we are opening the new old theater house on Offenbachplatz and together we will marvel, celebrate, discuss, and I am very much looking forward to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kay Voges<\/strong>, Director of Schauspiel K\u00f6ln<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunday belongs to the Cologne Opera and the Cologne choirs, schools and clubs. And Ralph Caspers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program on Sunday:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Two names for the calendar:<\/p>\n\n\n 12:30 and 15:00<\/p>\n \n \u201eIs Ralph going to take the opera audition?\u201c runs twice, at 12:30 and at 3 p.m. Ralph Caspers is the patron of the children's opera, and the participatory format brings children into the opera world without anyone having to know an aria beforehand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n 18:00 and 20:45<\/p>\n \n In the evening, the Cologne band will perform together with the G\u00fcrzenich Orchestra K\u00f6ln on the opera stage as part of the New Start Concert starting at 6 p.m. At 8:45 p.m., Kasalla will once again be on the program. Tickets for this event are available exclusively through a raffle; more information can be found in the next section.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n On Sunday, the discovery tours run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, there are \u201eParticipate and Create\u201c from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the sound playground from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and \u201eInform and Walk\u201c from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right in the heart: Into the heart of the city of Cologne and into the hearts of the people \u2013 that is the goal of the reopening of the stage ensemble at Offenbachplatz! With a diverse program, Opera K\u00f6ln is taking its place again and showing: We are back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hein Mulders<\/strong>, Director of the Cologne Opera<\/p>\n\n\n\n The restart concert of B\u00fchnen K\u00f6ln begins on Sunday, September 20, at 6 p.m. on the stage of the Opera House. In the first half, the opera ensemble performs a light opera program, in the second half the Cologne band takes the stage. At the hospital<\/strong> together with the G\u00fcrzenich Orchestra Cologne<\/strong> on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n Tickets for the relaunch concert will be given away exclusively; no sales will be taking place. Participation is by invitation only. buehnen.koeln\/sweepstakes<\/a> and it's still possible until August 31, 2026<\/strong>. There are currently three raffles underway: the restart concert, \u201eHere sits Cologne!\u201c for performances during the opening season, and tickets for the ceremony on September 24, 2026.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n The discovery tours take you to places that are otherwise reserved for artists, technicians, and staff. You see the stage technology in action, take a peek into the orchestra pit, and walk behind the scenes. And you see, as one of the first, what the renovation has done to the buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n The opera house offers an audio guide tour with a technology show and backstage tours. Both formats are free of charge, but require a ticket. The time slots can be booked in advance on buehnen.koeln, and participation can be spontaneous depending on capacity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n You can explore the Schauspielhaus on your own. To start on Saturday at 12:30 PM and on Sunday at 11 AM, you need a free starter ticket. In the following days, you do not need a ticket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n The children's opera and the Little House are accessible without registration. The Cologne Children's Opera was built specifically for children and is therefore unique worldwide, according to B\u00fchnen K\u00f6ln. It includes its own stage, stage technology and orchestra pit. In the Little House there is an open dance floor with a DJ and VJ, entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s best to take the KVB: The Appellhofplatz stop is right next to the event grounds. The northbound and southbound routes are closed to traffic on the opening weekend, so getting there by car involves detours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find the current program for the day, ticket reservations for the tours and all the raffles on buehnen.koeln\/opening ceremony<\/a>. The festival takes place with the kind support of the REWE Group.<\/p>\n\n\nOpera, theater, and children's opera: an overview of the opening in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The key figures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Saturday, September 19: the opening of Schauspiel K\u00f6ln<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n Moka Efti Orchestra <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n Chilly Gonzales <\/h3>\n \n \n
Sunday, September 20: Family Day at the Opera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n Ralph Caspers <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n At the hospital <\/h3>\n \n \n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.ipartment.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kasalla-neustartkonzert-oper-koeln.webp\")
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.ipartment.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/buehnen-koeln-quartier-offenbachplatz-1024x576.webp\")
The reopening concert at the opera house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Discovery tours through the reopened venues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Opera <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n The Schauspielhaus <\/h3>\n \n \n
\n Children's opera and Little House <\/h3>\n \n \n
Arrival and practical information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Overnight at Offenbachplatz<\/h2>\n\n\n
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